Philippines to sue ex-casino chief for plunder

The Philippine government is to file criminal charges against its former state casino chief for allegedly plundering gaming funds worth about $6.22 million, the justice department said on Tuesday.

The government agency said it has formally asked the Ombudsman, a special anti-graft prosecutor, to sue Efraim Genuino for illegally donating 186 million pesos ($4.46 million) in state casino funds to a charity he founded.

The alleged donations and other corrupt acts were committed in 2008-2010 when he was chairman and chief executive of state casino chain and regulator Philippine Amusements and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor).

"Not only were these actions tolerated, it appears that top management had a hand in devising the system of funnelling the funds into (his) foundation," a department resolution read.

The government also accused him of using 26.7 million pesos in casino funds to buy tickets for a film co-produced by his charity and diverting rice donations for typhoon victims to help the election campaigns of his two sons.

Twenty-five others who served with Genuino at Pagcor will also be charged, the resolution said.

Genuino, who was replaced as Pagcor chief after President Benigno Aquino was elected on an anti-corruption platform in 2010, could not be reached for comment Tuesday.

Genuino was appointed Pagcor chief in 2001 by Aquino's predecessor Gloria Arroyo, who was last year arrested for vote-rigging after nearly 10 years in office.

Arroyo has since posted bail but still faces other corruption charges.